Definitions of Abnormality

• Statistical infrequency

  Abnormal behaviour is that which is statistically rare (infrequent) so behaviour that is shown by very few people would be considered abnormal
• Strength of statistical infrequency

  One strength of this definition is that many mental disorders are statistically rare. For example, only 1% of the population live with schizophrenia. This suggests that statistical infrequency is an accurate tool for diagnosing abnormal behaviour
• Weakness of statistical infrequency

  One problem with the statistical infrequency definition of abnormality is the issue of misdiagnosis. Certain behaviours are statistically common for example, approximately 10% of the population will experience depression at some point making this behaviour 'normal' technically. On the other hand, certain behaviours - for example, High IQ are statistically infrequent therefore abnormal despite tits desirable nature. This is therefore a serious drawback of adopting the statistical infrequency definition in explaining abnormality and perhaps should not be used in isolation when making a diagnosis
• Weakness of statistical infrequency

  A further issue with the statistical infrequency definition of abnormality is that labelling an individual as abnormal can be unhelpful. For example, someone with a low IQ will be able to live quite happily without distress to themselves or others. Such a label may contribute to a boor self-image or become an invitation for discrimination. This means that being labelled as statistically infrequent could cause the person more distress than the condition itself.
• Deviation from social norm

  Someone who breaks the social norm would be classified as abnormal. They may show socially unacceptable behaviour , or behaviour that goes against moral standards of behaviour
• What is a social norm

  Unwritten rules about how to behave. They provide us with an expectation of what to do in a situation
• Implicit social norms

  Norms which are not actually spoken about but are still understood in all members
• Explicit social norm

  Norms which are openly discussed
• Strength of deviation from social norms

  It can be used to successfully identify mental health disorders for example depression OCD and phobia would all fit with this definition. All show characteristics of deviating from social norm
• Weakness of deviation from social norms

  Rosenham (1973) said that what may be considered abnormal in one culture may not be seen as abnormal in another (culture relativism).

  We must look at the behaviour and assess whether it is abnormal for that particular culture. This matters because there may be a missdiagnosis if they are from a different culture. The DSM gives clinical characteristics for each disorder and is used to diagnose mental disorders. The DSM now includes culturally specific disorders to account for this
• Weakness of deviation from social norms

  The changing times

  Our social norms change over time, and this creates an issue for this definition. If they change over time, then our perception of what is normal and abnormal changes over time as well. This means that mental illness is not recognised in the same way from one generation to the next
• Failure to function adequately

  A person is considered abnormal if they are unable to cope with the demands of everyday life
• One weakness of failure to function adequately is

  There is difficulty with this approach when considering who makes the judgment that the patient is suffering. They may feel they are fine, but others disagree; equally, they may feel they are suffering when others believe they are fine. This can create difficulty in dealing with this definition practically; however, the GAF scale can help
• One weakness of failure to function adequately is

  Failing to function is subject to cultural relativism. In our society, failing to function might entail not performing at school/career, not keeping personal hygiene, or not maintaining relationships; whereas in other cultures, this may not be the case
• One weakness of failure to function adequately is

  Disorders such as schizophrenia confound this approach. Schizophrenia is often characterised by a lack of insight; the sufferer has no awareness that their behaviour is unusual. Further to this, many sufferers when ill do not want treatment. If they are happy and not hurting others, then they would be deemed well despite their often very unusual behaviour
• One Strength of failure to function adequately is

  There are also arguments that what might appear not to function on the surface might be an adaptive and useful behavior. For example, someone who starves themselves of food may appear to be struggling, but this can and is often described as a way of gaining control and minimizing anxiety. In some way this may be beneficial to the sufferer . Importantly, this supports the definition as it applies to the real world, thus having high credibility
• One Strength of failure to function adequately is

  This approach takes the patient's perspective into account. It is rooted in the patients' suffering, which means that behaviours seen as unusual may only be identified if they disturb the person's emotional/mental health.
• One Strength of failure to function adequately is

  Failure to function adequately contains a high level of face validity. Once a behaviour, belief, or thought begins to impact your life negatively, it makes sense that it should be addressed. This may be the common-sense approach to abnormality
• Deviation from ideal mental health

  This approach tries to compare mental health to physical health. Then you are physically ill the doctor will look at things that you are lacking, they look for absences in your physical health
• Resistance to stress

  Having appropriate coping mechanisms for times of stress and being able to manage the stress of every day life
• Personal autonomy

  Possessing a level of independence and not depending too much on others. Being able to self-regulate
• Positive attitudes towards the self

  To consider yourself overall to be of value and to have some positive attributes or skills. A strong self-esteem
• Jahoda believed that we should be able to do the same thing for mental health as we do for physical health. She identified six criteria for optimal living which promote psychological health and wellbeing. Anyone with these qualities would be vulnerable to a mental health disorder
• Accurate perception of reality

  To adhere to the agreed-upon definition of reality, to not experience any hallucinatory experience regularly
• Mastery of the environment

  Being able to manage with changes in the environment and to be able to navigate the environment in which you find yourself
• Self-actualistaion of one's potential

  To be able to achieve this or be working towards this. Not being prevented from personal growth
• Strength of Deviation from ideal mental health

  This approach does however cover a broad range of concepts and provides a comprehensive definition for abnormality. It covers both unusual behaviours and those that cause distress to the sufferer; this may be more useful that other explanations
• Strength of Deviation from ideal mental health

  Deviation from ideal mental health does provide some useful guidelines for diagnosing abnormality. There is a clear and relatively standardised set of guidelines to be able to identify abnormal behaviour in people
• Weakness of Deviation from ideal mental health

  If we follow Jahoda's criteria we would all be listed as abnormal. There are very few people who can meet all the criteria
• Weakness of Deviation from ideal mental health

  This approach is too vague; there is no clarity in how many of these or to what degree you must be lacking before you are vulnerable for a mental disorder. Therefore, using this definition to identify abnormality in the population may be a challenge
• Weakness of Deviation from ideal mental health

  Some people argue that mental health and physical health are not the same and therefore should not be measured in the same way. Trying to do so might reduce the complexity of mental illness and could risk medicalising it which may not be appropriate
• Weakness of Deviation from ideal mental health

  Cultural relativism may be an issue. For example self-actualisation has its roots in individualist cultures and therefore would not make up 'ideal mental health' in a collectivist culture . this will limit the application of this definition